Derrick White added 15 points for the Celtics, who won their third straight game to improve to 8-7. They played the Nets even for about three quarters before smothering them defensively in the fourth, allowing just one basket for the first 10 minutes of the period.

Boston’s defense smothered Brooklyn in the fourth quarter, holding the Nets to an abysmal 4-of-15 (26.7%) shooting, including just 1-of-9 from three. That offensive freeze allowed the Celtics to stretch a narrow 92-90 lead with 7:38 remaining into a commanding 14-point cushion, 109-95, by 1:43 left in regulation.

Both of the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets picked up wins on Sunday, but Boston has clearly been the better team in the 2025-26 season, sitting at 7-7 through

The Boston Celtics play the Brooklyn Nets in an NBA Cup in-season tournament group play matchup. Friday's meeting will be the second of the season between the two teams.

One might think that the Sacramento Kings coaching staff did not think much of starting Boston Celtics big man Neemias Queta given the team cut him in favor of older centers who were on their way out of the NBA.

Preview the Brooklyn Nets' NBA matchup with the Celtics, including betting odds, tips, trends, and game information.

BOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn plays Boston looking to end its six-game home slide. The Nets are 2-8 against Eastern Conference opponents. Brooklyn ranks last in the Eastern Conference scoring 41.7 points per game in the paint. The Celtics are 1-3 against opponents in the Atlantic Division. Boston is 4-3 in games decided by at least 10 points.

Preview the Boston Celtics' NBA matchup with Brooklyn, including live stream, TV channel, odds, and game information.